The playground equipment at the Madison city park across from Lake Frances will be removed by City Public Works personnel beginning the week of April 29, 2013.
Jimmy Davis Enterprises Inc., owner of the property, has given the city a 60-day notice that it will terminate the lease between the city and Davis Enterprises regarding the property. The 60-day notice is effective April 4, 2013.
The playground equipment has been in place since approximately 1992.
The playground area will be roped off by Public Works personnel as a construction site. Access by the public will not be allowed during the removal.
The city and Davis Enterprises signed the lease in 1992. The original lease was for 10 years, and the property, according to the lease, was to be used by the city “as a children’s playground and recreation area for the general public.”
In its letter notifying the city of the lease termination, Davis Enterprises wrote: “We have been pleased to extend the time frame for an additional 11 years (beyond the original 10), however now we have decided to demolish the old warehouses on this property and incorporated the park parcel to entertain the idea of building apartments or commercial offices fronting Rutledge Street and Lake Francis.”
The letter goes on to say: “We have been proud in partnering with the City to provide this playground for our community all these years. We appreciate your understanding as we look forward to building something that will make us all proud to live here in beautiful Madison.”
